Copacabana (1947) User Reviews

Meet Me at the Copa, with your Clark Kent disguise

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 18 March 2006]

Copacabana marked Groucho Marx's attempt to go it alone without his brothers and it had mixed results.

He co-stars here with Carmen Miranda of the tutti-frutti hat. They are a duo act, but decide they'd be better as a solo with he her agent. Through a comedy of errors, inspired by Groucho's eagerness to show he has more than one client. He convinces Steve Cochran at the Copacabana to sign Carmen and one Madamoiselle Fifi. Fifi is French Moroccan and per her religion and nationality, keeps her face covered with a scarf. And Carmen in her Fifi incarnation speaks with a French accent that's a cheap imitation of Ann Codee.

Even though this is only one Marx Brother, it's still an exercise in the absurd. But I find it hard pressed to believe that no one realized that there was only one woman involved. Carmen Miranda is kind of distinctive even with a false accent. Well if everyone could get fooled by Clark Kent putting on a pair of glasses, who am I to question.

Groucho gets a comedy number himself, written by Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar called Go West Young Man. It's strictly comedy patter for Groucho, but Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters made a record of it in 1947 as a straighter version. Groucho guested on Crosby's show several times over the years and I'd be willing to bet Crosby recorded it as a favor to Groucho to plug the film.

Carmen Miranda is nothing less than Carmen Miranda. With the way she mangles the English language, Groucho must have thought she was Chico with breasts. But Carmen is always entertaining in any situation.

Crooner Andy Russell and a grown up Gloria Jean also contribute musically and to lend authenticity to the proceedings, Louis Sobol and Earl Wilson columnists, and Abel Green of Variety make appearances.

Copacabana is dated simply because the era of the nightclub is just a memory. But at least the Copa got immortalized by Barry Manilow and they still have them in the tinsel world of Las Vegas.

Carmen and Groucho: a pair made in Nonsense-Heaven wasted in second-rate musical

[debblyst · 6/10 · 28 April 2006]

"Copacabana" could've been GREAT fun. Groucho Marx and Carmen Miranda together: weren't they just born for each other? Unfortunately Hollywood has a recurring tendency of wasting unconventional talent, and "Copacabana" (and Groucho's film career, and Carmen's film career) is a sad evidence thereof. John Wayne, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable or Bob Hope had no problem strutting their old stuff over and over again; but in 1946 Hollywood decreed that the public was tired of Carmen's "exoticism" and Groucho's routines and came up with this B-budget turkey.

The film departs on embarrassingly deprecating premises: that Groucho should play a passé comedian who is no longer funny (!); that Carmen should play a singer who isn't electrifying enough (!), so that she has to assume a new persona as romantic French (!) chanteuse Mlle. Fifi and sing incognito (!). Now, come on: even wearing a mushroom blonde wig and a veil that hides most of her face, who except the very blind wouldn't recognize Carmen Miranda's hyperactive, pure-joy rolling eyes and those boomerang eyebrows?

The film is a dead duck that only comes to life when Groucho is allowed to deliver his peculiar one-liners and, especially, when Carmen sings and dances her "exotic" numbers (her "romantic" ones are totally unsuited to her talents). There's no point trying to resist the irrepressible, unique, sensuous Carmen, with her infectious smile, the arms and hands flashing like lightning, the athletic legs on the 7-inch platform shoes, and the gravity-defying, eye-popping costumes. She sparks with such high voltage she's like shock therapy: we smile just at the sight of how much fun she's having. There has never been anybody like her, a true one-of-a-kind.

But there are four essential things missing in "Copacabana": a) a decent script; b) a bigger budget; c) a minimally creative director and d) Technicolor. "Copacabana" CRIES for color -- it was planned to be shot in color, but the Technicolor preparation process (this was a Beacon Productions movie, not MGM) took so long the producers decided to do it in b&w, as the film HAD to be released simultaneously with the opening of the L.A.'s franchise of "The Copacabana", then NYC's #1 night-club, whose owner was one of the financiers of the film. (By the way, Carmen was the #1 headliner of NYC's Copacabana in the 1940s, she had even a lounge named after her, the "Miranda's Room").

There's a lot of expendable stuff in "Copacabana": pretty much the rest of the cast, especially toothy mellow- voiced dork-looking Andy Russell, and the super- cheesy Steve Cochran/Gloria Jean subplot. The songs are uniformly awful, with the soporific "Je Vous Aime" and "Stranger Things Have Happened" sung T-W-I-C-E each, with great exceptions being Carmen's tongue-twisting tour-de-force of Brazilian hit "Tico-Tico no Fubá" (a major hit in Brazil since 1917 and internationally famous since Ethel Smith's version in Disney's "The Three Caballeros" in 1943; later performed by Denise Dummont in Woody Allen's "Radio Days") and Groucho's performance - - or rather his "anti-performance" - of "Go West".

"Copacabana" is that kind of disappointment that drives you mad with rage for what it could have been, but fans of Carmen and Groucho have got to see it anyway. Shame on Hollywood for wasting such talented, one-of-a-kind performers with third-rate material and filmmakers.

Delightfully Naive and Entertaining

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 7 August 2009]

In New York City, Lionel Q. Devereaux (Groucho Marx) and his fiancée Carmen Novarro (Carmen Miranda) are unsuccessfully trying to find a spot in the show business. Lionel introduces himself to Steve Hunt (Steve Cochran), who owns the famous Copacabana nightclub, as an important agent and convinces Steve to see the presentation of Carmen. He enjoys the show and asks for another attraction; Lionel convinces Carmen to wear a veil and perform another song and introduces her to Steve as the French singer Mademoiselle Fifi. Steve hires both singers and Carmen has to change clothes and identities between her performances. When she sees Lionel flirting with a Copa Girl, Mlle. Fifi accepts the invitation to have dinner with Steve, hurting the feelings of his secretary Anne Stuart (Gloria Jean) that is in love with him. The situation gets complicated and Carmen simulates an argument with Mlle. Fifi with her subsequent disappearance, originating an investigation of the police where the prime suspect is Lionel.

"Copacabana" is a delightfully naive and entertaining movie from a time when the society was extremely innocent and could buy such ingenuous story. The plot, i.e., the double-identity of Carmen Miranda, is totally absurd but the situation of Lionel after the disappearance of Mlle. Fifi was remade by Billy August in 1963 in "Irma La Douce". Groucho Marx is funny and responsible for the best moments of this movie; but the subplots with the silly romance of Anne and Steve, and the participation of the weird singer Andy Russell should be better written. The songs are boring and dated in 2009, but Carmen Miranda was very successful in those years and sings the famous "Tico-Tico no Fubá". My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Copacabana"

Carmen At The Copa

[Lechuguilla · 25 April 2006]

The talent act of Deveraux (Groucho) and Novarro (Carmen Miranda) fizzles. So, Deveraux takes on the role of Novarro's "agent" in a bid to coax the Copa manager, played by Steve Cochran, to hire Novarro as a hot Brazilian number. But Cochran is interested only in credible agents, those with multiple clients. Naturally Groucho invents Mlle. Fifi as a second client. The thing is ... Groucho only has Novarro. So, who else to play the role of Mlle. Fifi than ... Novarro. The main plot line thus centers on Groucho and Carmen in their efforts to fool the club manager, by covertly alternating Carmen's on-stage roles.

It's a dumb, silly story. But Groucho delivers enough funny one-liners and clever quips to make his part interesting. And lively, breezy Carmen Miranda, with that unique style of dancing and singing, entertains with style and panache. The silly storyline alternates with staged floor shows, which overflow with music and Latin atmosphere. The costumes are interesting, but the B&W cinematography does not do them justice.

The film quickly becomes dull, especially in the middle Act, when Groucho and Carmen go off-screen. Too much time is wasted on a romantic subplot between Cochran's character and his secretary Anne, played without feeling by Gloria Jean. We also have to endure, and I do mean endure, the "talent" of someone named Andy Russell. That smarmy smile of his makes me want to jump off the nearest cliff.

This film will probably disappoint most Groucho fans, as he is but one of several that get major screen time. Steve Cochran, Gloria Jean, Andy Russell, and a few others just are not in Groucho's league. Carmen Miranda is, and whenever she is singing or dancing, the film is entertaining.

If you can ignore all the extraneous characters and focus on Groucho and Carmen, "Copacabana" can be worth a one-time visit.

Carmen's a pretty good foil but she's no Harpo and Chico.

[eddax · 7/10 · 15 January 2010]

While I prefer Groucho's humor the most amongst all three Marx brothers, it's just not the same without Chico and Harpo for Groucho to play off of.

I had never seen Carmen Miranda in action, though I had long known of her being a performer with kooky hats. Now that I've seen her on screen, I think she comes across as a cross between Marlene Dietrich and Charo - a surprisingly fun mix. She's actually a good foil for Groucho, so I think it's the screenplay that doesn't play to their full potentials. It's still a fairly charming movie, with Carmen taking on the role of two different stage performers and Groucho providing zingers.

A Night at the Copa

[lugonian · 6/10 · 28 July 2007]

COPACABANA (United Artists, 1947), directed by Alfred E. Green, stars the legendary Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers comedy team in his screen introduction as a solo performer, quick with the insults, minus his traditional black mustache and eyebrows to a more natural appearance, and surrounded by gorgeous show girls of the popular New York City night club where much of the story takes place.

Decades before singer Barry Manilow made "Copacabana" into one of his song hits of the 1970s, and during the time when the Copacanana was the place to be for entertainment, Hollywood worked up a musical where almost anything can happen at the Copa, especially when Lionel Q. Devereux is concerned. Devereux (Groucho Marx) and Carmen Navarro (Carmen Miranda) are entertainers who have been engaged for nearly ten years. They are down on their luck financially and living in separate rooms at the Booth Hotel for theatrical people. Because they are unable to pay their hotel bill, they have quite a time dodging a desk clerk (Chester Clute), as well as Mr. Green (Dick Elliott), the hotel manager, who's close to having them evicted. Since Mr. Green doesn't think much of Devereux as a performer, he suggests breaking up the act by having Carmen work as a solo performer. Devereux takes his advise (which is better than starving) and assumes his new role as Carmen's agent. He approaches Steve Hunt (Steve Cochran), manager of the Copacabana, to oblige Carmen, "the greatest discovery since penicillin," an audition. Her act goes well, but Steve is more interested in hiring a chanteuse than a Brazilian act. Bluffing his way through a list of clients taken from his racing form, Devereux comes up with the fictitious "Mademoiselle Fifi" actually Carmen disguised in blonde wig and veil covering her face. Although Carmen makes a success as the French singer, Steve decides to use both Carmen and "Fifi" on the same bill. At Devereux's urging, Carmen agrees to the masquerade, performing nightly as two different personalities doing two separate acts with little time to change in between. Further complications occur as Steve starts to show more interest in the French bombshell than his loyal secretary, Anne Stuart (Gloria Jean), who silently loves him.

Sam Coslow, who produced, is also credited with its handful of songs, including: "Hollywood Bound" (sung by the Copacabana Girls); "Tico Tico" (by Ervin Drake, Aloynso Oliveir and Zequina Abrew/ sung by Carmen Miranda); "Je-Vous Armour" (Carmen Miranda); "My Heart Was Doing the Bolero" (sung by Andy Russell); "He Hasn't Got a Thing to Sell" (sung by Miranda and Russell); "Make a Hit With Fifi," "Stranger Things Have Happened" (sung by Andy Russell); "Stranger Things Have Happened" (reprise by Gloria Jean); "Go West, Young Man" (by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, sung by Groucho); "Je-Vous Amor" (Andy Russell); and "Let's Go to the Copacabana" (finale/cast).

A silly comedy that rests more on the assurance of Groucho's one liners and exchanges (Carmen: "Why are you always chasing women?" Groucho: "I'll tell you as soon as I catch one.") than the overall production, COPACABANA is a far cry from the comedies Groucho enacted with his brothers, Harpo and Chico, and sometimes Zeppo, during the 1930s. Heavy on song numbers, quite typical for night club musicals of the 1940s, only a few are memorable. Carmen Miranda's performing in her traditional fruit basket hat, is noteworthy as well as reminiscent to the act in those Technicolor musicals over at 20th Century-Fox. Gloria Jean, a former child star for Universal musicals of the early 1940s, now a young woman, is wasted as a secretary. A fine singer, she gets an opportunity to only one song, set in the mind of her daydreams, with Devereux as her agent, and winning an audition by Steve. Newcomer Andy Russell, looking very much like a youthful Jerry Seinfeld of 1990s television fame, vocalizing love songs in the manner of 20th-Fox's Dick Haymes, is limited as an actor and no threat to the more successful Frank Sinatra.

Occasionally amusing, especially with scenes involving the hungry Groucho stealing a fish from Genevieve the seal in order to acquire a meal of his own, along with Carmen and Groucho splitting their hardboiled egg in half for dinner, no Groucho movie is complete without one of his show stopping solo acts. The highlight of the evening is his rendition of "Go West, Young Man," where he assumes his traditional Groucho mustache and cigar and surrounded by lovely cowgirls. This is not Groucho's character of Devereux staging a comeback for himself, which would had made a lot more sense, but Devereux showcasing his latest discovery. Is it Groucho Marx himself or a Groucho playing a Groucho imitator? We'll never know.

Others in the supporting cast include Ralph Sanford as Leggett, the one who buys Carmen's contract for $5,000; John Meredith and his Orchestra; Andrew Toombes as Anatole Murphy, a Hollywood producer; and Abel Green of "Variety" as himself. Aside from the noteworthy highlights, and the potential of pairing the wisecracking Groucho and the temperamental Carmen with her broken English for the only time, COPACABANA comes off a bit weak. Regardless of that, it's not a forgotten film, in fact, it's more associated with Carmen Miranda today than the musicals she did at 20th-Fox mainly due to her partnership here with Groucho.

Presented on video cassette during its early years of home video in the 1980s, and currently available on DVD, COPACABANA did enjoy frequent revivals on cable television, especially American Movie Classics from 1996 to 2000. (**1/2 Cigars)

At the Copa, Copacabana....

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 8 September 2009]

One would have expected the combination of Carmen Miranda and Groucho Marx to give this production a little more of a spark. What comes out is a tame picture that appears to have been done by numbers. The two stars have some good moments, but those are only few and far between.

"Copacabana" directed by Alfred E. Green, probably was much better in the planning stage than in the actual filming. The screenplay by Lazlo Vadnay feels flat most of the times. Maybe for the time where the movie was made it made more sense to the people behind the project than what the finished product turned out to be.

This is a story about show biz about a pushy would-be-agent, Lionel Q. Deveraux, out on his luck, whose only asset is the talented Carmen Navarro, a Brazilian singer trying to break in the New York scene. The Copacabana night club was the top place in the entertaining world of the city. Lionel tries on a scheme where Carmen does her Brazilian shtick and double as Mlle. Fifi, a French chanteuse.

Carmen Miranda was a natural for comedy, this is not one of her best screen appearances though. Even the musical numbers don't add any luster to the film. Groucho Marx does what he was famous for, but without his brothers, he is not that funny, as he proves here. Others in the cast are Steve Cochran, Andy Russel, and Gloria Jean. Three prominent New York newspaper columnists are on hand, Earl Wilson, Louis Sobol and Abe Green to add a bit of nostalgia to that era in which they wrote about who was who in the business.

Uneven but entertaining

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 27 September 2010]

Groucho Marx is a little older and a tad slower in "Copacabana", but many of his one-liners still score, and he made me laugh out loud more times than I can remember. Carmen Miranda manages to keep up with him every step of the way, and she is also funny and entertaining. There is a little too much of the sugary-sweet Andy Russell and Gloria Jean (don't get me wrong, Jean is quite lovely, but her overextended fantasy / musical number somewhere in the middle definitely slows the movie down a lot), and maybe not enough of the real Copa Girls themselves, who are simply wonderful: beautiful, radiant and personable. But my absolute favorite moment in this film is a very small one, where Groucho and his then-wife (playing the "Cigarette Girl") exchange eyebrow raises! On the whole, "Copacabana" is about on the level of a lesser Marx Brothers movie (like "Go West" or "The Big Store"), and certainly preferable to their worst one, which is probably "Room Service". **1/2 out of 4.

Groucho and The Brazilian Bombshell dominates an otherwise lacklustre film

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 17 November 2016]

Groucho Marx was a comedy genius and a near-unparalleled master at rapid-fire and wit, with an immediately recognisable appearance. His partnership with the rest of the Marx brothers Chico, Harpo and Zeppo was iconic, and the best of their films together among the funniest comedies/films ever made with many classic scenes and lines.

Likewise Carmen Miranda was nicknamed "The Brazilian Bombshell" for a very good reason. She was a truly exuberant performer and a deservedly popular radio star, with a very at the time unique sense of fashion and an immediately distinctive singing and dancing style. In the films she starred in, some of them were very entertaining if not devoid of flaws while others varied in entertainment value and had major imperfections ('Copacabana is one such example) but Miranda stole the show or was one of the best assets for many of them.

While Groucho and Miranda come off quite well, though neither at their best, they deserved better than this otherwise lacklustre affair. They are certainly the best things about it this said. Groucho fared better with zanier and much cleverer material and when he was partnered with the rest of the Marx Brothers, but he still shows off his rapid-fire and witty delivery well enough and has an air of charm about him. It is especially with Miranda and her scenes where 'Copacabana' properly comes to life, her performance is classic Carmen Miranda and one does wish that her enthusiasm and exuberance could be seen in a much better film much worthier of her talents.

Their partnership on paper seemed somewhat of an odd one, due to that their styles of performing are so completely different to one another which did suggest a major mismatch, but they are actually surprisingly enjoyable together. There are two good songs, Groucho's "Go West Young Man" and particularly Miranda's "Tico Tico", the latter being my pick for the highlight of 'Copacabana'. There are a few mildly amusing scenes with them, especially with Miranda, and the film has a good amount of energy with them together and with Miranda on her own.

'Copacabana' has major faults though. That Groucho and Miranda have a few mildly amusing scenes has been discussed, but there are also a few dull and annoying ones due to lacking material and a little over-acting, Groucho does generally come off well but he does over-compensate in weaker moments (hope this doesn't come off too contradictory). The film is mostly consumed by the musical numbers, and unfortunately only two are good, the rest range from the forgettable to the awful and interminably dull ("Stranger Things Have Happened" grinds everything to a halt and it is difficult to fight sleep, or even drowsiness).

Also in 'Copacabana' is a fantasy dream sequence, that could have been a highlight if done well, instead it was over-extended, went on for too long and was not that imaginatively or even interestingly staged. 'Copacabana' is a real cheapie visually, everything looks as though it was made hastily and on a low-budget and it cries out for colour. As well as the musical numbers, a sub-plot between Steve Cochran and Gloria Jean is focused on too much (to the point where Groucho and Miranda disappear completely for a stretch of the film) and cripples 'Copacabana', it suffers from cheesiness and lacking any charm or energy, lack of personality or star power from either Cochran and Jean (despite the latter's beautiful appearance and voice, inexperience shows massively here) doesn't help.

Other flaws are Andy Russell, who looks handsome and sings wonderfully but is a complete blank as an actor and his smile grates more than it beguiles; a very clunky script that is not as funny or as clever as it should have been and a story that is so slight to the point that it struggles to sustain momentum to justify the film's near-overlong length and goes overboard with the silliness and sheer idiocy. Alfred E. Green tries and struggles to rise above the material (which was near-impossible to do) or bring much sense that he was at ease with or know what to do with it.

In conclusion, Groucho and Miranda don't come off too badly (far from it) and saves an otherwise lacklustre film from a complete misfire or even worse a turkey. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Copacabana!... Copacabana!

[SimonJack · 7/10 · 9 January 2021]

The title song is very catchy, and that Brazilian beat is all it takes to enjoy this comedy musical. Of course, the music is delivered mostly by Carmen Miranda, and there's lots of it in this movie. The plot is silly and funny, and Groucho Marx sings one song and delivers some funny lines.

This was a new, solo venture for the head of the Marx Brothers. If one isn't too critical about the story and screenplay, this is a very good film to watch and enjoy solely for the music and Carmen Miranda's performances. Some very talented fellows on the various drums, and some very good dance arrangements add to the film's enjoyment.

Very disappointing!

[JohnHowardReid · 4/10 · 27 April 2018]

Copyright 30 May 1947 by Beacon Productions, Inc. Released through United Artists. New York release at the Broadway: 11 July 1947. U.S. release: 30 May 1947. U.K. release: December 1947. Australian release: 20 November 1947. Sydney release at the Empire: 8 November 1947. 8,525 feet. 93½ minutes.

SYNOPSIS: Agent induces not overbright nightclub manager to hire a non-existent double act.

COMMENT: Groucho's first film without his brothers was not a box-office success despite the fact that he appeared "in character" for an attractively chorused (and costumed) song number, "Go West, Young Man". The energetic support of Carmen Miranda in a dual role, some pleasant songs and a bevy of "Copa Girls" could not save a lame and rather talkative script. The players try hard (Gloria Jean is particularly agreeable and has a catchy production number), and even Alfred E. Green (whose direction is usually ploddingly pedestrian) makes a few laudable attempts at atmosphere, pace and inventiveness. All to no avail. The jokes are stubbornly stale and heavy-handed, the plot unintentionally ridiculous, and the characters one-dimensionally garrulous.

Copacabana could be saved - it would cut down to a fairly entertaining two-reeler for nightclub buffs. Of course this would remove most of Mr Marx and as he is the reason most people will want to see Copacabana, such drastic trimming is not likely. A pity. I've got a soft spot myself for the old Groucho, but Copacabana sticks him with such gummy material it's downright impossible to unglue.

"VICHYSSOISE!!"

[ktcook · 10/10 · 26 April 2001]

Groucho are Carmen Miranda are Marvooolussss together. What a great combination and beauty and the beast. The movie has it all, cheesey musicals, goofy love scenes and Groucho's one liners. Buy it if you are a Groucho fan.

Groucho Marx and Carmen Miranda team up in Copacabana

[tavm · 7/10 · 24 July 2015]

After they made their last movie together-A Night in Casablanca and I emphasize it truly was their final one as a team since Groucho only appeared mostly separate from Harpo and Chico in Love Happy and all three were in separate segments in The Story of Mankind-Groucho did his first movie solo here. He's teamed with Carmen Miranda in which he's her agent. She also has to perform as two acts-one as her usual persona, the other as a French woman with a veil on her face. Now that I got that out of the way, I'll just say this was quite funny and pretty entertaining concerning the musical numbers which also included Andy Russell and Gloria Jean, both of whom perform their own renditions of "Stranger Things Have Happened". Oh, and Groucho himself performs-with his greasepaint mustasche as opposed to the hairy prop one he uses to play his character here-Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby's song, "Go West, Young Man" which looks and sounds like a number he could have performed in the movie he made with his brothers a few years back called Go West. In summary, Copacabana is no masterpiece but it's still quite entertaining if you're a fan of all of the above. P.S. Groucho's then-wife Kay Gorcey appears as a girl at the nightclub who tells her hubby how much the cigars cost to his consternation.

Black Marx

[writers_reign · 4/10 · 25 May 2020]

One struggles to find something positive to say about this curate's egg manqué'. There were three well-known night clubs in Manhattan, the Stork Club, El Morocco (Elmers to the hip) and the Copacabana and two of them featured in undistinguished movies. The mob-owned Copa was famously fronted by Jules Podell so what Steve Cochran is doing as front man Steve Hunt is anybodys guess. It was at the Copa that around the time the film was made Sinatra literally lost his voice onstage and walked off. Would that they had shot that instead of drek like this; Sinatra with no voice is still light years ahead of Andy Russell. Ironically Sinatra, who couldn't get arrested in the late forties made one of the all-time great comebacks but this movie was one of the all-time dogs. Mama Will Bark indeed.

Fun and different for fans of Groucho and Carmen

[earlytalkie · 23 February 2012]

Copacabana showcases the unlikely pairing of Groucho Marx and Carmen Miranda in a musical melange concerning Carmen playing two different singers in the famous nightclub. The gags are fast and funny and the songs tuneful. Andy Russell and Gloria Jean are along to add to the music quotient and Steve Cochran is on hand to oversee the nightclub. The Copa gals are gorgeous and are given the opportunity to show off their personalities a bit. Louis Sobel, Earl Wilson and Abel Green, all real-life collumnists from the era make cameo appearances. This is definitely a forties musical with all the trappings. The musical numbers, choreographed by Larry Cebellos, are fun to watch, and look good in the restored black-and-white print. Purists may prefer a Marx Brothers comedy or a Carmen Miranda Technicolor musical from Fox, but this is a delightful way to spend an hour and a half. For me, the seemingly strange combination of Groucho and Carmen works and becomes a unique musical comedy experience.

While I am not a huge fan of musicals, this one is pretty good.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 29 June 2011]

I love classic Hollywood films but among my least favorites are musicals. It isn't that I dislike them all, but a lot of them seem alike to me. However, it was nice to watch "Copacobana", as it was very different--mostly because Groucho Marx was cast in the lead (and without his brothers). His witty remarks and silly shtick kept my interest, though as often is the case, my attention waned a bit after what felt like one or two songs too many from his co-star, Carmen Miranda. Again, I point out that this is my taste I am talking about here--you might love lots and lots and lots of songs.

"Copacabana" begins with Groucho and his fiancée, Carmen, behind in their rent and looking for work. She is a singer and he is her dopey agent. Eventually, Groucho is able to convince the owner of the Copacabana (Steve Cochran) to give her an impromptu audition. However, to put over the deal, Groucho talks too much and lies so much that now Cochran wants to see Groucho's OTHER client--a French chanteuse. However, there is no other client--and when he gets a contract for both performers, Groucho is able to talk Carmen into pretending to be both singers! To disguise this, Carmen wears a blonde wig and veil when she is the French lady. What happens next? Well, tune in and see for yourself.

Aside from the humor, Groucho actually sings a number like no one else could have done. It's pretty cute and I love the way this number was presented. You'll have to see it for yourself. Carmen was as you'd expect--full of peppy songs and a decent sidekick. While none of it is brilliant, it is entertaining and fun--and worth your time.

Somebody please issue a colorized version of Copacabana

[hotangen · 7/10 · 2 December 2013]

The DVD cover is in glorious technicolor and so I bit, curious to find out what all the Miranda hoopla was about. Surprise! There's no technicolor in the film. What possessed the producers to film Carmen Miranda in b/w? Why did Miranda - the 40s highest paid star in the 20thCFox musicals - agree to b/w? Other than this major disappointment, I liked the film. The plot is corny, but then the plots of most musical comedies are just filler between the songs and dances, so I wasn't upset. Groucho's 65-year-old wisecracks are funny and I laughed at every one of them. Andy Russell, the super nice male singer, was ... well, who was Andy Russell? ... but his voice was pleasant to listen to. The closing production number with the whole gang on the Copa stage was fabulous and Groucho was obviously having a lot of fun swing dancing with Miranda. This ending is one I can watch again and again and feel joyously happy.

Copacabana

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 8 January 2023]

The thing that frequently gets me about films like this, is that we would ever have got dressed up to the nines for a evening/early morning of entertainment that is all so very rigid and regimented... The dancing routines are so very heavily choreographed and the size of the places - with a band, dancers and a spotlit leading performer - must have been most off putting for diner and entertainer alike. This one has quite a quirky storyline: Graucho Marx ("Devereaux") has just one act - Carmen Miranda - on his books but venue owner Steve Cochrane ("Steve") is looking for more, so Marx hits upon a plan whereby his star does her Brazilian samba act for some of the time, then upscales as the more elegantly alluring "Madame. Fifi" during the downtime - a recipe for a fast paced juggling act that Barnum would have been proud of. There are some gently amusing sub-plots as their success attracts Holywood producers; Gloria Jean ("Anne") tries to have her way with the unsuspecting boss and crooner Andy Russell gets a few numbers in too. As you'd expect, there are plenty of quippy one-liners from Marx, many of which still raise a smile 70-odd years later, but otherwise time hasn't really been kind to the rest of it. Miranda never did strike any chords with me; and though doubtless an hugely charismatic woman, her act was limited and her thick accent quite difficult to comprehend - it really was all about the fruit bowl with her. Both have some fun trashing the dressing room towards the end which is quite jolly, but the set-piece dancing elements are unremarkable and the story is, well, daft... Nothing not to like, really, but nothing much to remember either.

Quanto Me Gusta Carmen and Groucho together.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 23 November 2013]

O.K. Take a look at Carmen Miranda in this film, especially in scenes without her head dresses or turbans. Even with them on, in close-up, you can see a serious resemblance to Fanny Brice, and her facial contortions prove that. As a performer and comedienne, she is flawless, and even though she pretty much never played a part other than herself, that itself is character enough. Now paired with Groucho in a rather lavish musical comedy, she gets two characters to play, one a Brazilian bombshell based upon herself, the other an alter-ego named Fifi she must live a second life as after both performers (of which only one really exists) is given a contract at Manhattan's exclusive Copacabana nightclub.

Groucho is her agent/fiancée who has been trying without success to get her a booking, and this has them on the verge of being locked out of their hotel rooms. In fact, they still have to sneak in as the film begins, but somehow manage to get another night during which time a miracle occurs. It isn't the type of miracle Miranda would want because she's part of a double package demanded by the Copa's management, the other being Fifi. So for half of the film's running time, she must run around, perform one number as Carmen and another as the French Fifi, who always wears a veil covering her mouth. (Miranda's mouth is such that a child could tell that both women were the same person).

There's the romantic young subplot of singing secretary Gloria Jean in love with Copa manager Steve Cochran while singer Andy Russell plays matchmaker. Jean and Russell get the romantic "Stranger Things Have Happened" while Groucho gets the comic "Go West, Young Man" which has an ironic conclusion that comes out of nowhere. Miranda though is the whole show, staging a fight behind closed doors between her and the non-existent Fifi, and delivering lines as if she was preparing a banana split from one of her own hats. The Miranda/Marx pairing is excellent which makes the absence of the other Marx Brothers acceptable on this rare occasion.

Yes! There is a colorized version!

[weezeralfalfa · 8/10 · 30 April 2018]

One of the most common complaints about this musical comedy is that it was filmed in B&W: a travesty of audience appeal with Carmen Miranda the female lead. Thus, it cries out for a colorized treatment to correct this important deficiency. Well, it's here, and can be watched free at YouTube. The down side is that some parts are a little fuzzy, and the colors are mostly unsaturated. Your alternative at YouTube is a slightly sharper Blu-ray B&W version. Remember that, after all her Fox WWII films were shot in Technicolor, her last 2, post-war, Fox films("Doll Face" and "If I'm Lucky" )were shot in B&W, as Fox decided to demote her from superstar status. Thus, shooting this project in B&W was extending a trend already established. ........Groucho Marx and Carmen: 2 superstars, were the leads, and were cast as a long term(10 years) romantic couple. Some reviewers complain that they aren't allowed to do their usual shtick, thus ruining the film. I did not detect this. The bulk of the screenplay revolves around Groucho's inspiration of making Carmen into a supposed French entertainer: Fifi , alternating with Carmen as her usual stage self. Fifi, with blond wig and veil across her lower face, and usually a harem-styled dress, seemed to be the more popular of the two, hence the pressure to continue the deception. However, Carmen soon got fed up with the constant rush to change her costume and singing style from one performance to another. Also, when a Hollywood agent became interested in Fifi, Groucho decided it was time to make Fifi disappear. Groucho has Carmen fake a raucous cat fight with Fifi, in her dressing room, for the benefit of others outside the door. For a time , Groucho was suspected of having murdered Fifi, despite his claim that Fifi and Carmen were the same person. But, eventually things work out for the best......A secondary romance pops up every now and then: between Copacabana manager Steve Hunt(Sleve Cochran) and his secretary Anne(Gloria Jean). Gloria was a well-established operatic-styled singer/actress for Universal, who is still around ,at 92. She was at her Hollywood peak in her mid-late teens, costarring with Bing Crosby in "If I Had My Way", and with W.C. Fields, in "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break". Thereafter, Universal cast her in a number of teen-oriented musical comedies, mostly opposite Donald O'Connor. Unfortunately, she was now being kept by Universal mostly as a backup, in case their star opera-styled singer Diana Durban, suddenly disappeared. Here, she only gets one song: "Stranger Things Have Happened", although I would say it's my favorite song in this film. Andy Russell is her male counterpart as a supporting singer/actor. He gets to solo or participate in several songs. He had a nice mellow voice, and would continue to be popular in his native Mexico. Groucho starred in one song and dance: "Go West, Young Man", backed up by the Copa Girls. Carmen had several numbers in her typical style, including Tico Tico No Fuba", and the finale "Let's Do the Copacabana": the latter with help from several other singers or dancers. In her Fifi persona, she did "Je Vous Aime" and "To Make a Hit with Fifi". The film begins with the Copa Girls singing together or individually, "We've come to the Copa".

Groucho going solo

[Petey-10 · 1 March 2000]

Groucho Marx plays an agent called Lionel Q.Deveraux, who only has one client, Carmen Novarro, played by Carmen Miranda.Lionel gets Carmen to perform at a club called Copacabana, but she has to perform there as a Brazilian and as a French singer.It's not so easy.Copacabana is a nice comedy musical with Groucho Marx.The movie offers you some very funny moments, even if it doesn't have the other Marx brothers.

"Go west young man!" ..."Well go west to your local videostore

[J.R.-8 · 31 December 1999]

If you love Groucho Marx or love musicals this is the movie for you. Groucho Marx is still the funniest man alive. Groucho Marx is witty as a slippery agent to Carmen Miranda in this movie. I am a fan of anything he does or anything the "Marx Bros." are invovled with. (even though this is a solo act)This movie has it all musical numbers and laughs. The chemistry between Carmen Miranda(Carmen Novarro)and Groucho (Lionel Q.Deveraux) is incredible. I will go into the plot well it has to do with anarchy and misinformation with has been a playing ground of Groucho's for years. I would like to thank Groucho and his brothers for making me laugh when my our life I sometimes don't have much to laugh at. Fellas you were trully are blessed. Thank You. P.S. Mr. Deveraux even brings back an old friend for a song and dance... don't ask you can't afford him.

Worthwhile motion picture entertainment

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 1 March 2014]

This is worthwhile motion picture entertainment. It shows off the considerable talents of Groucho Marx and Carmen Miranda, not to mention their highly unusual chemistry, and leads the casual classic movie viewer to an enjoyable experience.

The budget of this independent United Artists release could have been larger, because a few of the sets do appear a bit chintzy, as if they have been constructed quickly and cheaply. But the lavish musical numbers are more than acceptable and convey great style and extravagance, more than countering the picture's other visual shortcomings.

Particularly impressive is a charming dream scene that Gloria Jean performs with Steve Cochran (a much-underrated actor). And how can one not become an immediate fan of singer Andy Russell whose vocal talents are amply on display during the proceedings?

An irritatingly stupid script, poor production values and almost no good lines for Groucho spoil this slight musical comedy

[J. Spurlin · 6 September 2009]

The eyebrow-wagging Lionel Q. Deveraux (Groucho Marx) is tired of dragging down the career of his fiancée, Carmen Novarro (Carmen Miranda), as the untalented half of their nightclub act and quits to become her agent. His powers of persuasion soon get the Brazilian singer a job as a featured performer at the Copacabana - twice over. She is forced to do double duty as herself and as Mlle. Fifi, a veil-covered Parisian chanteuse. The owner of the Copacabana, Steve Hunt (Steve Cochran), insists on romancing Mlle. Fifi, much to the frustration of Deveraux, who has already staked his claim to Carmen. Also frustrated is Anne Stuart (Gloria Jean), Steve's dutiful secretary, who is secretly in love with her boss. Another Copacabana singer, Andy Russell (himself), plays Cupid.

An irritatingly stupid script, poor production values and almost no good lines for Groucho spoil this slight musical comedy. Andy Russell, who can sing but can't act, cancels himself out. Carmen Miranda fans may want to skip over everything except her numbers, which are good. Groucho fans may want to skip this altogether, unless they want to laugh at the awfulness of it all and imagine the sarcastic quipster delivering a scathing commentary track.